Public safety higher-up resigns

Thomas Hunter, a deputy director and communications director at the Ohio Department of Public Safety, submitted his resignation today.

Thomas Hunter, a deputy director and communications director at the Ohio Department of Public Safety, submitted his resignation today.

Hunter, who has worked for the department since 2007, said he is accepting a private-sector job in West Virginia, where he formerly served as press secretary to Gov. Joe Manchin III.

Hunter, 36, declined to identify his new employer. His last day at his $87,969-a-year state job will be May 14.

Hunter said his departure is unrelated to recent controversy surrounding the public-safety department, including today's release of a scathing report by the office of Ohio Inspector General Thomas P. Charles.